The best gifts are always those that are created with love and what better way to show your loved ones that you care than by creating a delicious treat for them?
Giving food gifts is a great way to show your love and appreciation and can be a cost effective way to ensure you have a holiday token for everyone.
You can cook your speciality or use some of these ideas as inspiration for your own holiday gift giving.
Baked Food Gifts
Biscuits/Cookies - Holiday cookies are a hit with everyone. Make an assorted variety of regular biscuits or holiday themed cut-outs and place them in a tin or on a pretty seasonal tray.
Cakes - Cakes also make lovely holiday gifts. Give loved ones who have not the time to bake for themselves a Christmas Cake or a Yule Log. Decorate them with embellishments or pipe on a holiday greeting to make it more personal.
Pies - Dessert pies are always a popular choice at the holiday table, so presenting a host the gift of a pie at a holiday get-together is sure to be a welcome surprise. If you know their favourite, whip that up. If not, bake a standard holiday selection.
Bread - Sweet breads and artisan breads can make beautiful Christmas gifts. Wrap them in coloured cellophane and tie them up with pretty holiday ribbon for a festive look.
Snack Food Gifts
Nuts - Make up a batch or two of roasted, sugared or spiced nuts and place them in a pretty jar or tin. The recipient can keep them to themselves or they can place them our for holiday guests to enjoy, as well.
Dried Fruits - Drying and preserving seasonal fruits is another delicious way to share the holiday joy. Though creating this treat can be a time consuming process, the delicious results are sure to be appreciated.
Sweets - Homemade sweets, such as peanut brittle, fudge, toffee or marshmallows make wonderful gifts. Concentrate on one kind or fill a tin with an assortment of sweets to make a memorable gift that will be anticipated from year to year.
Sauces, Spices and Jam Food Gifts
BBQ Sauce - If at your summer parties, everyone gives your secret recipe BBQ sauce rave reviews, consider making up a big batch and bottling it for holiday gifts. Be sure to let recipients know if it needs to be refrigerated.
Sundae Sauces - For those ice cream lovers on your gift list, you can cook up some delicious sundae sauces for them to make their favourite treats. Choose from hot fudge, caramel, butterscotch or any other flavour that is enjoyed. For an extra touch of fun, include a couple of sundae glasses in the package.
Spice Rubs - If you have a tasty recipe for a spice rub or marinade, make up a small jar of your best recipe and give it away as a gift. Add instructions on how it is to be used or suggestions for cooking with the rub.
Homemade Jams - Throughout the year, you can make jams from the fruits that are in season and stash them away to give as tasty holiday gifts.
Jar Mix Food Gifts
Baking Mixes - Baking mixes for biscuits, cakes and brownies can be placed in a jar and given as gifts. Just layer the dry ingredients in a large jar and attach a tag that includes the measurements of wet ingredients and step by step instructions for mixing and baking.
Soup Mixes - Layer beans and spices in a jar, creating a lovely display. Add a recipe card listing the fresh ingredients that are needed and cooking instructions for the soup, and an evening’s meal has just been given as a gift.
Food Gift Etiquette
1. Always be sure to wrap gifts in resealable packaging to give the recipient a way to keep things fresh until they are eaten.
2. Include a tag or label that lets the recipient know what is in the food and if the food needs special preparation. As many people have food allergies and sensitivities, this can prevent potential problems.
3. Use disposable containers for food gifts, or purchase plates or serving dishes that do not need to be returned to you.
While there are many inexpensive items that can be given as gifts, giving something homemade adds a personal touch and shows that you care. This holiday season, consider giving food gifts to loved ones to let them know just how special they are to you.
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